The biggest small-business stories of 2013Source: The Washington Post

December 30, 2013 at 2:03 PM

In Washington, during a year defined more by what didn't get accomplished than what did, there were still high points for entrepreneurs. Many applauded as regulators removed some of the barriers to raising capital and approved another near-record volume of government-backed loans. However, they also watched as lawmakers pumped the brakes on bills to overhaul the tax code and immigration system and, at one point, brought the federal government to a halt.